The Georgia Bulldogs have returned to the number one position in the CBS Sports 138 college football rankings following a commanding performance against Ole Miss. The Bulldogs defeated the Rebels 42 to 7 on Saturday night in Oxford, a result that voters described as nearly flawless. This victory allowed Georgia to reclaim the top spot, which it previously held on October 12 before an upset loss to Auburn caused its ranking to drop. The win was considered one of the most impressive of the season, making the decision to rank Georgia first the easiest choice for the panel.
Voters for the CBS Sports 138, which includes experts from CBS Sports and 247Sports, faced several complex decisions after a Week 10 that featured numerous high-profile matchups. While the order of the top five teams, which includes Georgia, Utah, Notre Dame, UCLA, and Miami, is not unanimous, there is strong consensus regarding the quality of these programs. The rankings become more contentious further down the list, with no clear agreement on the placement of Alabama or Texas. Additionally, Big 12 rivals BYU and Texas Tech are separated by only a razor-thin margin within the top 12, signaling the debates that will likely occur in the College Football Playoff selection committee room this week.
The postseason landscape has shifted significantly for several teams following recent results. The Oregon Ducks emerged as one of the biggest risers in the rankings after defeating Ohio State 41 to 0 in Columbus. This victory propelled Oregon up to number 17, placing it ahead of Ole Miss, Ohio State, and LSU. The win has given the Ducks a strong resume, featuring victories over Ohio State, USC, and Boise State, while also keeping a viable, though unlikely, path to the Big Ten title game open.
In contrast, the Ohio State Buckeyes fell to number 19 in the CBS Sports 138. Although this ranking is slightly higher than their position in the AP Top 25 poll, the Buckeyes remain behind several other teams with three losses. The loss to Oregon has complicated their playoff prospects, as they now sit definitively behind multiple other three-loss programs in the broader rankings.
Other notable movement in the rankings includes Florida Atlantic University, which jumped 18 spots to number 69. The Owls crushed UTSA 60 to 29 on Thursday night, a performance that impressed voters despite FAU’s previously modest resume. Texas State also saw a significant boost, rising 17 spots to number 61 after a road victory over Oregon State. The Bobcats, who are 5-4 overall, have shown resilience with wins against North Texas and Oregon State, earning them a spot in the top 70.
Illinois climbed 14 positions to number 33 after securing a sixth win of the season against Nebraska. The Fighting Illini have entered Week 11 on a four-game winning streak, having overcome midseason defensive changes and quarterback injuries. They are now set to challenge UCLA on Friday night. Conversely, Michigan dropped 10 spots to number 52 following the firing of offensive coordinator Jason Beck. The Wolverines’ offense, currently ranked 126th nationally in scoring, has been a source of disappointment, with the team sitting at 2-4 in Big Ten play.
UTSA fell 17 places to number 51 after its loss to Florida Atlantic. The defeat has complicated the RoadRunners’ playoff chances, as their 7-1 record now includes a lopsided loss to a conference opponent. Oregon State experienced the steepest drop, falling 27 spots to number 65. The Beavers have struggled offensively in recent weeks, losing to Texas State and Fresno State, which has made them a less attractive option for the top 60 rankings despite their earlier strong performance.
